Cyclone Chido devastates French territory Mayotte, claims 14 lives

Paris: Cyclone Chido has claimed at least 14 lives and caused extensive material damage in Mayotte, a French Indian Ocean territory, as it tore through the region with winds exceeding 220 km/h. Most fatalities occurred in Petite-Terre, prompting authorities to issue a red alert across the island.

In response to the devastation, France has mobilized significant reinforcements. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed the country’s commitment to Mayotte, confirming that France would provide continuous support to the people affected by the cyclone. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau called the situation “dramatic and absolutely exceptional,” adding that the island faced unprecedented damage.

Emergency reinforcements, including 250 firefighters and civil security soldiers, have been sent, with 140 of them expected to arrive on Sunday. After an interministerial crisis meeting, Retailleau announced his intention to visit Mayotte on Monday to assess the ongoing crisis and oversee the relief efforts.

Cyclone Chido, classified as an intense tropical cyclone, is one of the most powerful storms of the 2024–25 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season. It formed on December 5 southeast of Diego Garcia, steadily intensifying before being named Chido on December 8. The cyclone underwent rapid intensification, making landfall at Agaléga in Mauritius on December 11 and peaking in intensity the following day.

After passing through northern Madagascar, Chido briefly weakened before regaining strength and making a second landfall near Bandraboua, Mayotte, on December 14. It caused widespread destruction before slightly weakening again later that day.

Mayotte was initially placed under a purple alert, the highest warning level, which enforced a strict lockdown for all residents, including emergency services. This was later downgraded to a red alert, allowing emergency services to commence rescue and recovery operations.

The storm’s aftermath has left Mayotte grappling with significant challenges as emergency teams work to restore normalcy. France’s continued support aims to expedite relief efforts and assist the impacted communities.

With IANS inputs